Local glance
Shamrocks’ Seale nearly perfect; Raiders rout San Luis; YC rocks Rams; Rams finish fifth; Meet the Gila Ridge coach
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PREP SOFTBALL: Shamrocks’ Seale nearly perfect
Wellton - Yuma Catholic's softball team made the most of its five hits off Antelope pitcher Blanca Gallego and went on to a 7-0 victory over the Rams.
Allison Seale nearly pitched a perfect game for the Shamrocks (17-5, 8-1 2A West Region), but settled for the seven-inning no hitter. Seale allowed one baserunner to reach on a YC error and she struck out nine.
"This was our first no-hitter of the season and Allison just did a terrific job," YC coach Rachelle Tuffly said.
Tori Quintana drove in three runs during a six-run second inning, while Yolanda Esparza also went 2-for-4.
Antelope's record fell to 9-13 and 6-6 in the 2A West with the loss.
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PREP SOFTBALL: Raiders rout San Luis
Cibola wrapped up second place in the 5A Gila Valley Region with a 17-0 home victory over San Luis Tuesday.
Natalie Senini struck out five Sidewinders while allowing three hits in the five-inning, run-ruled shutout, and Norma Tapia broke the game open with a 2-run triple to spark an 8-run Cibola first inning.
Tapia finished 2-for-4 on the day, while her twin Patty also drove in a run in the first.
Kathy Roman drove in a run and scored twice after collecting a pair of hits in her final game as a Raider, while fellow senior Elsa Juarez finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs in the victory.
"It helped us to get 12 walks in the game and we drove the ball through the gaps pretty well too," Cibola coach Shelly Baumann said. "We ended the season well and on a good note and everyone is ready to start next year."
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PREP BASEBALL: YC rocks Rams
Wellton - Jayson Koppinger allowed two unearned runs on just three hits over six innings and struck out seven during Yuma Catholic's 12-2 victory at Antelope.
The Shamrocks (22-5, 9-1 2A West) also got the job done at the plate. Erick Martinez had three hits and three RBIs, while Torey White, Koppinger, Adrian Gutierrez and Jared Peach each had two hits.
"Our first six guys up all got on base and all scored," YC coach Tom Kandler said. "We're playing alright heading into the state playoffs."
Chance Mixon drove in both runs and also pitched well in relief for the Rams, who finished off their season at 7-16 overall and 3-9 in the 2A West.
"There's a reason why Yuma Catholic is defending state champions," Antelope coach John Blabe said. "They hit well and field well and know how to play the game of baseball."
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PREP GOLF: Rams finish fifth
Antelope's golf team finished fifth out of 12 teams competing at the Palo Verde Invite, a tournament comprised of two-person scrambles.
The Rams' team of Chuck Fincher and Tyler Claar combined for a score of 69 to finish fourth, while Mieke Canan and Fred Blohm placed 10th with a 74.
Yuma Catholic's team of R.J. Wood and Seth Hodges combined for a 70 that was good for fifth place.
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ANNOUNCEMENT: Meet the Gila Ridge coach
Recently hired football coach Simon Ocampo, who will guide the new Gila Ridge High School's program next fall, arrives in Yuma Monday to take part in three scheduled meet and greets with students, parents and the community.
Ocampo, a native of New Mexico, will meet eighth graders at Castle Dome Middle School at 12:15 p.m. and with eighth graders at Ron Watson Middle School at 2:15 p.m. He's also scheduled to meet with all interested students, parents and supporters of Gila Ridge football at 6 p.m. at Ron Watson.
Gila Ridge will open its doors to approximately 850 freshmen and sophomores for the 2007-08 school year.
